The role of demons in the Florida high school shooting

[Francis Drake]

Thjoose who are not Christian are totally open to possession and oppression by evil spirits.

Christians by virutue of the indewelling Holy Spirit cannot be possessed but they can open themselves up to oppression and be oppressed by evil spirits.

You have no scriptural basis to make this statement TJ as Christians most certainly can have indwelling demons. Playing games with words like oppressed or possessed is utterly irrelevant to those who are suffering.
A simple reading of the gospels will show that Jesus always cast the demon out of the person. At no time did Jesus ever tell anyone that demons could neither touch them nor indwell them.

The casting out of demons is one of the commandments Jesus gave in the Great Commission. Among many others who believe what Jesus said, I have been casting evil spirits out of people for the last 40 years, and I can tell you that every last person who has sought help has been a Christian.

Not one single unbeliever has ever come for help. Why would unbelievers seek help from Christians?
They don't believe in the spiritual realm.
They don't believe in God.
They don't believe in Satan or demons.
The unbelievers who do believe in demons are either infatuated with the demonic power they get from serving them, like Satanists or those dabbling in witchcraft.
Its true that a small number of unbelievers have been terrified by demonic activity, and that has driven them to cry out to God for salvation. Sadly they often end up in churches which hold the doctrines you have espoused, who because of their denial of scripture, are utterly powerless to help them.

 

[LizaMarie]

as a society there are lots of things that could be done.
Will they be done? Well that assumes that responcibility is going to be taken by Men and by Women for their relationships and for their Children.
try reading this radicle look at who is responcible.

What is the root cause of multiple-victim public shootings?

Agree with this article. It's a bitter pill to swallow even for conservative Christians.
As I said on another forum add to this Hollywood shares some blame, too. The entertainment industry used to police itself(Hayes Code).

 

[Francis Drake]

I suspect we all agree that even if there was demonic influence, that does not absolve the shooter of guilt.

I agree with you, but many here seem to dismiss the demonic side.
I also agree that personal responsibility is prime.

God works to bring good out of evil. One tiny way (among many) in which God could use this tragic evil event for some good is if it prompts some people to seek greater freedom for themselves and others from demonic influence and if it prompts some Christians to study the Bible again to see what it teaches on this topic.

Again I agree, but we are battling with false church doctrines that have denied the influence of the demonic among Christians. Such false doctrines ensure that the subject of deliverance appears very low on the Christian agenda, and in most churches no demons will ever get cast out.

If the church never casts demons out as Jesus commanded, then it is safe to say that demons effectively have a "Sanctuary City" to enjoy themselves in.

 

[Francis Drake]

Agree with this article. It's a bitter pill to swallow even for conservative Christians.
As I said on another forum add to this Hollywood shares some blame, too. The entertainment industry used to police itself(Hayes Code).

Its no good blaming Hollywood when Salt and light has largely disappeared from the church.

For many decades the church has given approval to every depravity and sexual perversion imaginable, telling people that God welcomes all comers without the need of repentance from wicked lifestyles.

As Jesus said, if the salt has lost its savour then it is only fit to be trodden underfoot.
Satan's world has invaded the church and been thoroughly welcomed, such that we now see these same people not only being given approval, but being given high office.

Judgement begins with the household of God not Hollywood!

 

[jmldn2]

There are so many things to think and pray about after a tragedy like this. The topic I'm bringing up here I do not view as the first or necessarily even most important issue related to this shooting. Certainly things like praying for the families of victims and healing of the injured and emotional healing for all who were there is more important.

But this issue is also important. It has been reported in the news that the shooter claimed to hear voices in his head and some have identified these voices as being demonic.

This raises some discussion topics.

What do you think about this?
How might demons gain such influence in a person's life?
Can Christians be oppressed and influenced by demons?
What can we do about it?

I believe in the spiritual world, which includes angels and demons. I believe there are demonic forces all around mankind. Evil is real and exists in many forms. If one does not stay close to God through prayer, bible study, daily walking and yielding to the Holy Spirit, then they become open the evil influences.

 

[Tutorman]

What do you think about this?
How might demons gain such influence in a person's life?
Can Christians be oppressed and influenced by demons?
What can we do about it?

I do not think there were demons, not everything bad is caused by demons. Humans are very much capable of evil all by themselves. In the case of the Florida murderer he was suffering from mental illness and should not have been on the streets. I do not see demons around every corner though, that does not mean I do not believe in demons I do believe, I just know that unlike the ancient world we have the advantage of medical science and know more

 

[Francis Drake]

I do not think there were demons, not everything bad is caused by demons. Humans are very much capable of evil all by themselves. In the case of the Florida murderer he was suffering from mental illness and should not have been on the streets. I do not see demons around every corner though, that does not mean I do not believe in demons I do believe, I just know that unlike the ancient world we have the advantage of medical science and know more

I suggest you try convincing Jesus of your world view!
He obviously did things very different, but what did he know back then?

 

[Tutorman]

He knew who needed to be healed or not. We are not ancients we know things about the mind and body, not everything comes from demons like many ignorantly believe these days. Do demons possess? Yes and there are remarkable cases of such things. But not every evil thing comes from demons as if demons did not exist we would have paradise, humans are capable of evil all by themselves.

 

[pgp_protector]

So do you punish him if it was demons?

 

[Hermit76]

There is a reason that the ancient church (some still include them) included exorcism prayers when a person was baptized. It is not for us to speculate as to the method of the evil that operated within the shooter. Rather we should be cognizant of the reality that the evil is there and active. Arguments over methods will only serve as a smokescreen for evil to grow.

 

[Hermit76]

So do you punish him if it was demons?

Yes... Demon possession isn't like the person gets a new operating system. He is culpable for his legal and moral actions.

 

[Waterwerx]

There are so many things to think and pray about after a tragedy like this. The topic I'm bringing up here I do not view as the first or necessarily even most important issue related to this shooting. Certainly things like praying for the families of victims and healing of the injured and emotional healing for all who were there is more important.

But this issue is also important. It has been reported in the news that the shooter claimed to hear voices in his head and some have identified these voices as being demonic.

This raises some discussion topics.

What do you think about this?
How might demons gain such influence in a person's life?
Can Christians be oppressed and influenced by demons?
What can we do about it?

How? Via emotions, obsessive thoughts(true or self manufactured), reinforcement through influencing the actions of others against an individual, etc. There's an endless list of vectors, all of which could be cracks in the armor which can be doorways for evil influence to enter and set up shop. Its one of the reasons Jesus said that the pathway to destruction is broad. We are bombarded endlessly with negative influence on a daily basis.
When you're not continually exposing yourself to the uncorrupted Word of God and mentally digesting it, things can come to a head and we end up with these tragic events.

Demons or not, ultimately an individual is held accountable for his/her actions because God allowed mankind free will. Nobody is forced to do stuff like this without making the choice to do so. It wouldn't be free will if demons, angels, etc., were able to control individuals where they're unable to choose. This is why the final punishment in regards to the unsaved will be based upon how much Truth/light they received throughout their life.
Think about the times you become angry or upset with someone. The absolute worst kind of anger is "justified anger", which leaves wide-open the door to "justified vengeance" that can take the forms of slandering, physical confrontation, or even murder . When you don't have any light in you or completely disassociate yourself from it, you end up making the wrong choices.

The worst part about this whole thing is now we have to see it replayed and retold in the various news outlets with everyone throwing in their 2 cents for probably the next month or so. I'll never understand the need for this. Its like repeatedly telling the misguided souls of the world that if you get bent out of shape over something, this is how you can get even and make it really hurt...

 

[dqhall]

There are so many things to think and pray about after a tragedy like this. The topic I'm bringing up here I do not view as the first or necessarily even most important issue related to this shooting. Certainly things like praying for the families of victims and healing of the injured and emotional healing for all who were there is more important.

But this issue is also important. It has been reported in the news that the shooter claimed to hear voices in his head and some have identified these voices as being demonic.

This raises some discussion topics.

What do you think about this?
How might demons gain such influence in a person's life?
Can Christians be oppressed and influenced by demons?
What can we do about it?

Those taken by the powers of darkness engaged in lies, theft and violence. The evildoers fought against their neighbors. The shooter must have been obsessed with violence. A soldier will fight if he is ordered to. Lone gunmen fought without orders from a military commander. There is a Gospel story about Jesus meeting a madman along the shore of Lake Chinnereth/Sea of Galilee. The madman described himself as a legion, that is a fighting unit 5000 strong. Somehow the man was healed after hearing Jesus and was no longer raging mad. He wanted to follow Jesus, but he was asked to go testify to his people about the good thing God had done for him instead.

John 10:10 (ASV) The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have [it] abundantly.

Jesus emphasized healing more than making war.

 

[David Kent]

I don't know why you are so surprised at this shooting. According to the news it is the 18th this year and there have been nearly 300 since 2013.

You have banned God from your schools.

 

[sdowney717]

He knew who needed to be healed or not. We are not ancients we know things about the mind and body, not everything comes from demons like many ignorantly believe these days. Do demons possess? Yes and there are remarkable cases of such things. But not every evil thing comes from demons as if demons did not exist we would have paradise, humans are capable of evil all by themselves.

Yes, people are willing to sin grievous sins without help from other beings.
Demons are aligned with dark powers and as Jesus says seek to kill steal and destroy. It is only God's mercy they are restrained at all.
We are of God, the world lies under the sway, meaning influence of the devil.

v18 describes our sure salvation is due to God's Spirit working His power in us by making us born of God and creating in us a new spirit according to righteousness and holiness, and that fellowship with the Father can not be broken, His Spirit to our own lesser spirits remains in fellowship and our being a new creation in Christ spirit which is alive to God does not sin.

Our life is hid with Christ in God. He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him, and the devil can not touch-corrupt that.

The world does not have the Spirit of Christ, is not of God and experiences corruption and death.

1 John 5:18
[ Knowing the True—Rejecting the False ] We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
1 John 5:19
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.

 

[CGL1023]

Its the wicked heart that blames demon.

Would you mind elaborating; I cannot make a connection with that short statement.

 

[LizaMarie]

Its no good blaming Hollywood when Salt and light has largely disappeared from the church.

For many decades the church has given approval to every depravity and sexual perversion imaginable, telling people that God welcomes all comers without the need of repentance from wicked lifestyles.

As Jesus said, if the salt has lost its savour then it is only fit to be trodden underfoot.
Satan's world has invaded the church and been thoroughly welcomed, such that we now see these same people not only being given approval, but being given high office.

Judgement begins with the household of God not Hollywood!

I definitely believe the demonic was involved in this among other things.

 

[com7fy8]

I have read he has a developmental disorder, behavioral problems as a child, and he had contact with the police before.

But he was functional enough so he got into the school with a rifle, maneuvered a number of students to go where they could be his targets, and he got past the police afterward, about a mile or so?

even if there was demonic influence, that does not absolve the shooter of guilt.

I agree.

God works to bring good out of evil.

I think it demonstrates to young people they are not immortal and can pass into eternity surprisingly at any time,

Something like this happened with a number of people after the Twin Tower attack. Certain people realized they need to be more appreciative of having family and friends, among other things, if I understand them right.

 

[com7fy8]

What do you think about this?

First, if people are born in sin, they are not with God in His love, and so they can give in to how Satan's evil spirit "works in the sons of disobedience." (see Ephesians 2:2) They need to be turned "from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God" (consider Acts 26:18). And whether or not they are possessed, they are being worked-in by Satan's evil and selfish spirit.

And this can effect their personality. And demons assigned to them can share their personalities with the humans they are assigned to. Satan's spirit and demons have personalities with emotions and feelings which they can share with humans.

So, it is important not to give in to Satanic feelings and emotions such as bitterness and unforgiveness and other dominating and cruel things, including also of fear which can be because of "a spirit of fear" (2 Timothy 1:7; also consider Romans 8:15 with 1 John 4:18), a conscious spirit which can have personal aspects and can mess with a personality and how we consciously experience.

So, whether a person is fully possessed or oppressed or not obviously oppressed, the person still can have more or less of how Satan's spirit works in the person's personality and ways of thinking and feeling and reacting.

If any of us Christians has ever given in to unforgiveness or bitterness or stress or fear or worry, I would say the person has experienced how Satan's spirit can mess with us, even if we are Christians. But we can trust God to correct us so we do better. He can cure our nature to become more and more immune to sin-sick things.

"rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:4)

The beauty of God's gentle and quiet love is "incorruptible", making us so we can not be corrupted by Satanic stuff, plus this gentleness and quietness is so pleasing to our Father.

 

[cfdude]

I'm a skeptical person and I experienced a demon twice. It was something that I know that I know was real and freaked me out seriously. Nobody could ever convince me otherwise. My research after such events have persuaded me that what that kid had talking to him was most definitely a possible demon. They go after to possess intermittently the most vulnerable and weak in society. Many specific accounts, all separate, have verified my experience as well as Biblical findings.